Which Should Come First in Housing, Energy Efficiency or Thermal Comfort?

This usually comes as a shock to energy geeks, but compliance requirements found in efficiency programs are not found in thermal comfort standards. Furthermore, energy related terms like U-values, conduction, air changes, kilowatts, therms and thermal bridging are abstract constructs for the general public. But the vernacular language of cold, hot, dry, humid, muggy and drafty needs no communication effort. This presentation explains why and how to use the vocabulary of thermal comfort as the first solution in solving residential energy problems.